Tomatoes in pots

TOMATOES

With a little know-how, you can grow a good crop of tomatoes in a pot, which is welcome news if you are a balcony gardener wanting to experience the full, rounded flavour of home-grown tomatoes. It’s also a good option if you’ve had persistent soil-related problems, such as nematodes and wilt, because it allows you to grow your tomato plants in fresh potting mix that hasn’t been infected.

Compact bush varieties tend to be best for containers. Look out for names such as Patio, Green Grape, Tiny Tim, Cherry Falls and Thai Pink Egg. Vine tomatoes can be grown, but their stems can extend 2m or more, so you need plenty of support for training. A balcony railing would work, or put a couple of long timber stakes into the pot before planting.

Tomato roots need plenty of space, so use a large, wide pot – at least 40cm in diameter for compact types, and wider for vine varieties. Plants also need plenty of water, particularly when it gets hot. Self-watering pots are a great option because they provide moisture for longer periods between watering. Otherwise, allow drainage water to fill the saucer when watering on hot days. This is normally a no-no, but the plants will quickly draw up the extra moisture when it’s hot without risk of root rot.

It’s best to move a big pot into position before filling it. Choose a spot with 5–6 hours of full sun per day, with some protection from drying winds. Fill with a good quality potting mix and add a complete slow-release fertiliser. Tomatoes are big feeders, so follow up with an application of liquid fertiliser every 10 days or so.

Tomato seeds germinate readily. Start them in small pots of seed-raising mix in a warm spot (on a sunny windowsill indoors, if it’s still cold at your place). Or plant two or three seeds directly in your pot, then thin out to one. If you only need one or two plants, buy established potted tomatoes to get you started. You should be able to find these easily now in most areas.